Operation Telic order of battle

This is the Operation Telic order of battle, which lists the British forces that took part in Operation Telic, including

• the 2003 Invasion of Iraq,
• subsequent operations during the occupation and military government of the country, and
• stabilisation operations under the Iraqi Interim Government and the Iraqi Transitional Government.

Contents

1 Maritime forces 2 Air forces 3 Ground forces 4 Joint assets 4.1 Notes 5 Roulements 5.1 1st Roulement 5.2 2nd Roulement 5.3 3rd Roulement 5.4 4th Roulement 5.5 5th Roulement

Maritime forces

British Maritime Component Commander - Rear Admiral David Snelson (succeeded by Major General Tony Milton 16 April 2003)

Commander Amphibious Task Group - Commodore Jamie Miller

Air forces

• British Air Forces Component Commander - Air Vice Marshal Glenn Torpy
  • Tornado GR4 Wing 1 - 18 Tornado GR4's and GR4A's at Ali al Salem, Kuwait
    • Part of No. II Squadron
    • Part of No. IX Squadron
    • Part of No. XIII Squadron
    • Part of No. 31 Squadron
    • Part of No. 617 Squadron
  • Tornado GR4 Wing 2 - 12 Tornado GR4's at Al Udeid, Qatar
    • Part of No. 12 Squadron
    • Part of No. 617 Squadron
  • Harrier Wing 1 - 10 Harrier GR7's
    • Part of No. I Squadron
    • Part of No. 3 Squadron
  • Harrier Wing 2 - 8 Harrier GR7's
    • Part of No. IV Squadron at Al Jaber, Kuwait
  • Tornado F3 Wing - 14 Tornado F3's at Prince Sultan in Saudi Arabia
    • Part of No. XI Squadron
    • Part of No. XXV Squadron
    • Part of No. 43 Squadron
    • Part of No. 111 Squadron
  • Nimrod MR2 Wing - 6 Nimrod MR2's
    • Part of No. 120 Squadron
    • Part of No. 201 Squadron
    • Part of No. 206 Squadron
  • Tristar Detatchment - 4 Tristars of No. 216 Squadron
  • VC10 Wing - 7 VC10's at Prince Sultan in Saudi Arabia
    • Part of No. 10 Squadron
    • Part of No. 101 Squadron
  • VC10 Medevac - 1 VC10 C1K at RAF Akrotiri from No. 10 Squadron
  • Sentry Wing - 4 Sentry AEW1's
    • Part of No. VIII Squadron
    • Part of No. 23 Squadron
  • BAe 125 Detatchment - 3 BAe 125's of No. XXXII Squadron
  • Hercules Wing - 6 Hercules
  • Canberra Detatchment - 2 Canberra PR9's of No. 39 (1 PRU) Squadron
  • Nimrod R1 Detatchment - 1 Nimrod R1 of No. 51 Squadron

27 helicopters were also sent to the area, a mixture of Pumas and Chinooks, although the breakdown of types within that number is yet to be determined. Beyond the Hercules aircraft that were based in theatre, virtually the whole of the rest of the Hercules fleet, the C-17 fleet, and those Tristars and VC10's that had remained based in the UK were involved in transport operations to and from the Persian Gulf. Please help to fill in any gaps in the information as new material comes to light.

Ground forces

• GOC 1st (UK) Armoured Division - Major General Robin Brims (succeeded by Major General Peter Wall)
  • 1st Armoured Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment
  • 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
  • Joint NBC Regiment
  • 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington's Regiment
  • 28 Regiment Royal Engineers
  • 1 General Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
  • 2 Close Support Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • 2nd Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
  • 1 Close Support Medical Regiment
  • 5 General Support Medical Regiment
  • 1 Regiment Royal Military Police
  • A (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Squadron and W (Westminster Dragoons) Squadron, Royal Yeomanry
  • Elements of 5 (STA) Royal Regiment of Artillery
  • Elements of 33 (EOD) Regiment Royal Engineers
  • Elements of 32 Regiment Royal Artillery - Phoenix Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Elements of 30 Signal Regiment
  • Elements of 14 Signal Regiment
  • 3 Commando Brigade - Brigadier Jim Dutton
    • Headquarters 3 Commando Brigade
    • 59 Independent (Commando) Squadron Royal Engineers
    • 131 Independent (Commando) Squadron Royal Engineers (Volunteer)
    • 9 (Commando) Assault Squadron
    • 531 (Commando) Assault Squadron
    • 29 (Commando) Regiment Royal Artillery - 18 105mm howitzers
    • 40 Commando
    • 42 Commando
  • 7 Armoured Brigade - Brigadier Graham Binns
    • 7 Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
    • 32 (Armoured) Regiment Royal Engineers
    • 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery - 32 AS-90 155mm howitzers
    • Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Battlegroup, including elements of 1st Battalion Irish Guards - 42 Challenger 2's, 28 Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicles (Warriors)
    • 2nd Royal Tank Regiment Battlegroup, including elements of 1st Battalion The Light Infantry - 42 Challenger 2's, 28 Warriors
    • The Black Watch Battlegroup, including elements of Queen's Royal Lancers - 14 Challenger 2's, 42 Warriors
    • 1st Battalion Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Battlegroup, including elements of Queen's Royal Lancers - 14 Challenger 2's, 42 Warriors
  • 16 Air Assault Brigade - Brigadier 'Jacko' Page
    • 16 Air Assault Brigade Headquarters and Signals Squadron
    • 7 (Parachute) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery - 18 105mm howitzers
    • 23 Engineer Regiment
    • D Squadron Household Cavalry Regiment
    • 7 Air Assault Battlion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
    • 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistics Corps
    • 16 Close Support Medical Regiment
    • 156 Provost Company Royal Military Police
    • 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment
    • 1st Battalion Parachute Regiment
    • 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment

Joint assets

• National Support Element
  • 102 Logistics Brigade - Brigadier Shaun Cowlam
    • Headquarters 102 Logistics Brigade
    • 2 Signal Regiment
    • 36 Engineer Regiment
    • 33 Field Hospital
    • 34 Field Hospital
    • 202 Field Hospital (Volunteer)
    • 4 General Support Medical Regiment
    • 3 Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
    • 6 Supply Regiment Royal Logistics Corps
    • 7 Transport Regiment Royal Logistics Corps
    • 17 Port and Maritime Regiment Royal Logistics Corps
    • 23 Pioneer Regiment Royal Logistics Corps
    • 24 Regiment Royal Logistics Corps
    • 5 Regiment Royal Military Police
    • Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment

• Joint Helicopter Force Headquarters
  • 3 Regiment Army Air Corps
    • Elements of No. 662 Squadron - Lynx AH7's and Gazelle AH1's
    • Elements of No. 663 Squadron - Lynx AH7's and Gazelle AH1's
  • HMS Ark Royal
    • 4 Sea King AsaC7's of Flight A No. 849 NAS
    • 5 Chinook HC2's of No. 18 Squadron
  • HMS Ocean
    • 10 Sea King HC4's of No. 845 NAS
    • 6 Gazelle AH1 of No. 847 NAS
    • 6 Lynx AH7 of No. 847 NAS
  • Chinook Wing
    • No. 7 Squadron
    • No. 18 Squadron
    • No. 27 Squadron
  • Puma Detachment
    • No. 33 Squadron

Notes

It should be noted that when a battalion is referred to as a battlegroup, it is not purely made up of units from the parent unit, but is an integrated team, combining armoured units with tanks, and mechanised infantry with infantry fighting vehicles.

Also, whilst 16 Air Assault Brigade is apparently the only fighting brigade listed with its own organic helicopter support in this order of battle, 3 Commando Brigade had the helicopters on board Ocean and Ark Royal to call upon, and 7th Armoured Brigade wasn't really air mobile as a formation. There were also the RAF Pumas and Chinooks mentioned above for transport purposes.

The contribution of reservists to the deployment (some 9,500 of the 46,000 personnel involved in the warfighting phase and its immediate aftermath, the vast majority from the Territorial Army, and in significant number in the subsequent roulements) is understated by the order of battle, as the only units to deploy in their entirety were 131 Independent Commando Squadron of the Royal Engineers as well as A (Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry) Squadron and W (Westminster Dragoons) Squadron of the Royal Yeomanry. The remainder were augmentees, called up individually from their units (which therefore do not feature in the order of battle) and employed to bring many of the units listed above up to their war-fighting strength.

Finally, 3 Commando Brigade had a United States Marine Corps unit, 15th MEU under its command in the initial stages of the war. This went back to American command around 25 March.

Roulements

1st Armoured Division remained in theatre, controlling UK ground forces until June 2003, when 3rd Mechanised Division's HQ arrived in theatre to take command of British forces. 3 Commando Brigade was the first of the warfighting units to return to the UK, followed by 16 Air Assault Brigade. 7 Armoured Brigade remained in theatre until they handed over to 19 Mechanised Brigade in June.

In November and December 2003, a second rotation of British forces occurred, with 3rd Division's HQ being replaced by a composite divisional HQ. 19 Mechanised Brigade was replaced with 20 Armoured Brigade. April 2004 saw the third change of forces. 20 Armoured Brigade was relieved by 1 Mechanised Brigade, and a new senior British military officer, Lieutenant General John McColl arrived in theatre to become deputy commander of the occupation land forces. Rumours also began to circulate in early May 2004 of imminent British reinforcements to replace Spanish troops pulling out of Najaf. 3 Commando Brigade, with a 40 Commando, a battalion of the Parachute Regiment and a third line battalion were rumoured to be the forces concerned. However, these rumours later turned out to be false.

The end of October 2004 did see an important shift for the British forces. A battlegroup from the Black Watch deployed outside of the British area to Camp Dogwood south-west of Baghdad. This coincided with the next roulement of British forces, with 4 Armoured Brigade replacing 1 Mechanised Brigade.

1st Roulement

• GOC 3rd (UK) Mechanised Division - Major General Graeme Lamb
  • 3rd Mechanised Division Headquarters and Signal Regiment
  • 3 Regiment, Royal Military Police
  • 3 Close Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
  • 3 Close Support Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps
  • 5 Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
  • Elements of 5 Regiment Royal Artillery
  • Elements of 7 Signal Regiment
  • Elements of 14 Signal Regiment
  • Elements of 30 Signal Regiment
  • Elements of 4 General Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
  • Elements of 4 General Support Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps
  • Elements of East of England Regiment (Territorial Army)
  • Elements of Tyne-Tees Regiment (Volunteers)
  • 19 Mechanised Brigade
    • 19 Mechanised Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
    • 40 Regiment, Royal Artillery
    • 38 Engineer Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers
    • 1st Battalion, The King's Regiment
    • 2nd Battalion, The Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets
    • Elements of The Light Dragoons
    • Elements of 2nd Royal Tank Regiment
    • Elements of Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia)

• National Support Element
  • 101 Logistics Brigade
    • 101 Logistics Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
    • 27 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
    • 9 Supply Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
    • 168 Pioneer Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
    • 4 Regiment, Royal Military Police
    • 33 Field Hospital
    • Elements from 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
    • Elements from 29 Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
    • Elements from 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
    • Elements from 1 Postal & Courier Service Group

• Maritime Contribution
  • HMS Richmond (to July 2003)
  • HMS Sutherland (July 2003-October 2003)
  • HMS Norfolk (October 2003-March 2004)
  • HMS Kent
  • RFA Diligence
  • RFA Brambleleaf

2nd Roulement

• GOC - Major General Andrew Stewart
  • 16 Signals Regiment
  • Elements from 14 Signals Regiment
  • Elements from 30 Signals Regiment
  • 20 Armoured Brigade - (succeeded by Brigadier Nick Carter)
    • 20 Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
    • 26 Regiment Royal Artillery
    • 35 Engineer Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, The Light Infantry
    • 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales
    • 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, The Royal Scots
    • 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Elements of The 9th/12th Royal Lancers
    • Elements of Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia)

• National Support Element
  • 4 General Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
  • 22 Field Hospital
  • Elements of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
  • Elements of 1 Regiment, Royal Military Police
  • Elements of 10 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 17 Port & Maritime Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 23 Pioneer Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 24 Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 5 General Support Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps

• Maritime Contribution
  • HMS Kent
  • HMS Norfolk (October 2003-March 2004)
  • HMS Grafton (March 2004-July 2004)
  • RFA Bayleaf

3rd Roulement

• Senior British Military Representative (Iraq) - Lieutenant General John McColl

• GOC - Major General Andrew Stewart (to July 2004)
• GOC - Major General William Rollo (from July 2004)
  • 16 Signals Regiment
  • Elements from 14 Signals Regiment
  • Elements from 30 Signals Regiment
  • Elements from The London Regiment (TA)
  • 1 Mechanised Brigade
    • 1 Mechanised Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
    • 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
    • 22 Engineer Regiment
    • Queen's Royal Lancers
    • 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers
    • 1st Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, Royal Highland Fusiliers
    • 1st Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders
    • Elements of The Household Cavalry Regiment
    • Elements of The Rifle Volunteers

• National Support Element
  • 8 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps
  • 207 (V) Field Hospital relieved in 2004
  • UK Medical Group
    • 256 (City of London) Field Hospital (V)
    • Close Support Squadron, Royal Army Medical Corps
  • Elements of 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
  • Elements of 1 Regiment, Royal Military Police
  • Elements of 6 Supply Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 24 Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 29 Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Elements of 1 General Support Medical Regiment, Royal Army Medical Corps
  • Elements of 104 (V) Regiment, Royal Artillery
  • Elements of 6 Battalion, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

• Maritime Contribution
  • HMS Grafton (March 2004-July 2004)
  • HMS Somerset (July 2004-November 2004)
  • HMS Echo
  • RFA Bayleaf

4th Roulement

• Senior British Military Representative (Iraq) - Lieutenant General John McColl

• GOC - Major General William Rollo (to January 2005)
• GOC - Major General Jonathon Riley (from January 2005)
  • 4 Armoured Brigade
    • 4 Armoured Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
    • 4th Regiment, Royal Artillery
    • Phoenix Battery, 32 Regiment, Royal Artillery
    • 21 Engineer Regiment
    • Field Support Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment
    • 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
    • The Royal Dragoon Guards
    • 1st Battalion, Scots Guards
    • 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards
    • 1st Battalion, the Duke of Wellington's Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, the Black Watch (detached from UK operational area from end of October 2004 to south-east of Baghdad to support US 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit)
    • 40 Commando, Royal Marines
    • East and West Riding Regiment
• National Support Element
  • 1 Battalion REME
  • Elements of 7 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Squadron from General Support Medical Regiment

• Maritime Contribution
  • HMS Somerset (July 2004-Present)
  • HMS Cumberland
  • HMS Echo
  • RFA Bayleaf

• Air Contribution
  • Detachment of No. 10 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 14 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 24 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 30 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 32 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of RAF Kinloss Nimrod MR2 Wing
  • Joint Helicopter Force?Iraq
  • No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment

5th Roulement

• Senior British Military Representative (Iraq) - Lieutenant General John Kiszely (October 2004?April 2005)

• GOC - Major General Jonathon Riley (from January 2005)
  • 12 Mechanised Brigade
    • 12 Mechanised Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
    • 19th Regiment, Royal Artillery
    • Phoenix Battery, 32 Regiment, Royal Artillery
    • Surveilance and Target Acquisition Patrols Troop from the Honourable Artillery Company
    • 106 (Yeomanry) Regiment, Royal Artillery
    • 26 Engineer Regiment
    • Field Support Squadron, 28 Engineer Regiment
    • The King's Royal Hussars
    • The Light Dragoons
    • 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards
    • 1st Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Wales
    • 1st Battalion, the Staffordshire Regiment
    • 1st Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment
    • East of England Regiment
    • Royal Rifle Volunteers
• National Support Element
  • 1 Battalion REME
  • Elements of 7 Transport Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps
  • Squadron from General Support Medical Regiment

• Maritime Contribution
  • HMS Marlborough (July 2004-March 2005)
  • HMS Argyll (March 2005-Present)
  • HMS Echo (to May 2005)
  • HMS Scott
  • RFA Bayleaf
  • RFA Diligence

• Air Contribution
  • Detachment of No. 10 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 101 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 14 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 24 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 30 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of No. 32 Squadron RAF
  • Detachment of RAF Kinloss Nimrod MR2 Wing
  • Joint Helicopter Force?Iraq
  • No. 34 Squadron RAF Regiment